First South Bancorp, Inc. Reports Increase in September 30, 2012 Quarterly and Nine Months Operating Results

WASHINGTON, N.C., Oct. 16, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- First South Bancorp, Inc. (NASDAQ: FSBK) (the "Company"), the parent holding company of First South Bank (the "Bank"), reports its unaudited operating results for the quarter ended September 30, 2012, and for the nine months ended September 30, 2012.

For the 2012 third quarter, net income increased 100.9% to $965,965 ($0.10 per diluted common share), from net income of $480,751 ($0.05 per diluted common share) for the linked 2012 second quarter, and increased 139.5% when compared to net income of $403,271 ($0.04 per diluted common share) for the comparative 2011 third quarter. Net income for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 increased 71.6% to $1,908,612 ($0.20 per diluted common share), from net income of $1,112,143 ($0.11 per diluted common share) earned for the nine months ended September 30, 2011. The improvement in earnings for the current quarter in comparison to the linked second quarter are primarily attributed to a significant reduction in non-interest expenses and partially offset by lower net interest income and higher credit provisioning expense.

Bruce Elder, President and CEO, commented, "I am pleased to report the Company's operating results for the third quarter of 2012. The Company has been able to generate solid core earnings while simultaneously taking a very conservative approach to providing for credit quality issues. Although the level of our nonperforming assets has declined by approximately $8.2 million this year, we continue to closely monitor and manage the financial stress some of our borrowers are facing. Consequently, we have provisioned accordingly to maintain our allowance for loan and lease losses at an adequate level. Mitigating the Bank's nonperforming assets will continue to be a top priority for the remainder of 2012 and into 2013."

Asset Quality

Total nonperforming assets, including loans on non-accrual status, restructured loans on non-accrual status and other real estate owned (OREO), declined to $52.8 million at September 30, 2012, from $55.7 million at June 30, 2012 and $60.0 million at December 31, 2011. Loans on non-accrual status declined to $34.8 million at September 30, 2012, from $37.8 million at June 30, 2012 and $43.0 million at December 31, 2011.

The Bank recorded $2.0 million of provisions for credit losses in the 2012 third quarter, compared to $775,000 in the linked 2012 second quarter and $2.6 million in the comparative 2011 third quarter. Credit loss provisions are necessary to maintain the allowance for loan and lease losses (ALLL) at a level that management believes is adequate. The ALLL was $15.0 million at September 30, 2012 (3.1% of total loans), compared to $14.0 million at June 30, 2012 (2.8% of total loans) and $15.2 million at December 31, 2011 (2.9% of total loans). Net charge offs were $958,614 in the 2012 third quarter, compared to $1.2 million in the linked 2012 second quarter and $3.0 million in the comparative 2011 third quarter. We believe the current level of our ALLL is adequate, however, there is no assurance that regulators, increased risks in the loan portfolio, or changes in economic conditions will not require additional adjustments to the ALLL.

Other real estate owned increased marginally to $18.0 million at September 30, 2012, from $17.8 million at June 30, 2012 and $17.0 million at December 31, 2011, reflecting foreclosure activity net of sales and write-downs of certain real estate properties. Management has performed its quarterly evaluation of these OREO properties and believes their adjusted carrying values are representative of their fair market values, although there is also no assurance that the ultimate sales will be equal or greater than the carrying values.

Net Interest Income

Net interest income declined to $7.2 million for the 2012 third quarter, from $7.5 million for the linked 2012 second quarter and $8.0 million for the comparative 2011 third quarter. The change in levels of net interest income is influenced by the volume of interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities and the management of rates earned and paid during each respective reporting period. The net interest margin on average earning assets remained relatively consistent at 4.4% for both the 2012 third quarter and the linked 2012 second quarter, and 4.6% for the comparative 2011 third quarter.

Non-Interest Income

Total non-interest income was $2.7 million for both the 2012 third quarter and the linked 2012 second quarter, compared to $2.3 million for the 2011 third quarter. The Bank strives to maintain a consistent level of revenue across loan and deposit service offerings. Fees, service charges and loan servicing fees also remained relatively constant at $1.6 million for the 2012 third quarter, compared to $1.7 million for both the linked 2012 second quarter and the comparative 2011 third quarter.

Net gains from mortgage loan sales increased to $858,483 for the 2012 third quarter, from $264,266 for the linked 2012 second quarter and $165,418 for the comparative 2011 third quarter. Net gains from investment securities sales declined to $27,979 for the 2012 third quarter, from $485,047 for the linked 2012 second quarter and $204,248 for the comparative 2011 third quarter.

Mr. Elder stated, "For several prior quarters, we have securitized originated mortgage loans and in effect transferred the originations from loans held for sale to securities available for sale in order to manage liquidity. During the third quarter, a significant portion of our time deposit portfolio matured and in order to reduce our cost of funds, a larger number of CD's were redeemed. To better manage liquidity, some volume of originated mortgage loans during the third quarter were sold, servicing retained, which significantly increased our net gains from mortgage loan sales."

In its efforts to reduce nonperforming assets, the Bank recognized net losses of $56,176 on the sale of OREO properties during the 2012 third quarter, $47,056 in the linked 2012 second quarter and $15,710 in the comparative 2011 third quarter.

Non-Interest Expense

Total non-interest expense declined to $6.4 million for the 2012 third quarter, from $8.6 million for the linked 2012 second quarter and $7.0 million for the comparative 2011 third quarter. Compensation and benefits, the largest component of these expenses, declined to $3.6 million for the 2012 third quarter, from $4.4 million for the linked 2012 second quarter and $3.7 million for the comparative 2011 third quarter. Compensation and benefits expense for the 2012 second quarter included the final accrual of anticipated lump-sum retirement benefits payable to the former CEO upon his retirement and the employment of the successor CEO.

Expenses attributable to valuation adjustments, ongoing maintenance and property taxes for other real estate owned properties declined to $315,660 for the 2012 third quarter, from $1.3 million for the linked 2012 second quarter and $579,001 for the comparative 2011 third quarter. "The stabilization of property values continues to be an issue in some of our markets. We will continue monitoring these values, prudently adjust carrying values as appropriate and dispose of other real estate owned properties as quickly as feasible," said Mr. Elder.

FDIC insurance premiums declined to $234,061 for the 2012 third quarter, from $259,087 for the linked 2012 second quarter and $387,679 for the comparative 2011 third quarter, reflecting a change in the FDIC's deposit insurance assessment calculation based on assets and tier one capital versus deposits.

Data processing costs declined to $344,322 for the 2012 third quarter, from $604,250 for the linked 2012 second quarter and $699,089 for the comparative 2011 third quarter, reflecting favorable initial pricing from our recently completed core data processing system upgrade. Upon the expiration of these pricing concessions, data processing expenses are anticipated to approximate previously reported amounts.

Other noninterest expenses including premises and equipment, advertising, repairs and maintenance, office supplies, professional fees, taxes and insurance, etc., remained relatively consistent during the respective reporting periods.

Income tax expense increased to $552,067 for the 2012 third quarter, from $272,348 for the linked 2012 second quarter and $255,588 for the comparative 2011 third quarter, reflecting changes in the volume of pretax income, deductible expenses, the application of permanent and temporary differences and the applicable income tax rates in effect during each period.

Balance Sheet

Total assets declined to $717.2 million at September 30, 2012, from $742.0 million at June 30, 2012 and $746.9 million at December 31, 2011. Net loans and leases receivable declined to $476.5 million at September 30, 2012, from $491.5 million at June 30, 2012 and $525.2 million at December 31, 2011, reflecting the net of principal repayments, the volume of loans originated, foreclosures, sales, and securitizations of loans into mortgage-backed securities during the current year.

Investment securities increased to $172.7 million at September 30, 2012, from $165.0 million at June 30, 2012 and $138.5 million at December 31, 2011, reflecting the net of purchases, sales, principal repayments and securitizations of certain mortgage loans. Mortgage-backed securities increased to $148.2 million at September 30, 2012, from $146.4 million at June 30, 2012 and $138.5 million at December 31, 2011. During 2012, the Bank implemented a strategy to diversify its investment portfolio through the purchase of certain tax-exempt municipal securities. At September 30, 2012, the balance of the municipal securities portfolio was $24.5 million, compared to $18.6 million at June 30, 2012.

Cash and overnight investments declined to $17.5 million at September 30, 2012, from $34.8 million at June 30, 2012 and $32.8 million at December 31, 2011, reflecting net changes in the Bank's cash flow and liquidity position used primarily to fund the net growth in the investment portfolio and the net decline in total deposits.

Total deposits declined to $609.5 million at September 30, 2012, from $634.6 million at June 30, 2012 and $642.6 million at December 31, 2011. Core checking and savings accounts increased to $298.9 million at September 30, 2012, from $291.6 million at June 30, 2012 and $272.7 at December 31, 2011; while certificates of deposits declined to $310.6 million at September 30, 2012, from $343.0 million at June 30, 2012 and $369.9 million at December 31, 2012. The Bank strives to manage its cost of deposits by monitoring the volume and rates paid on maturing certificates of deposits in relationship to current funding needs and market interest rates. The Bank did not renew certain higher rate maturing time deposits during the 2012 third quarter, and was able to reprice new and maturing time deposits at lower rates. The cost of funds improved to 0.69% for the 2012 third quarter, from 0.83% for the linked 2012 second quarter and 1.08% for the comparative 2011 third quarter.

Stockholders' equity increased to $88.1 million at September 30, 2012, from $86.2 million at June 30, 2012 and $84.1 million at December 31, 2011, reflecting year-to-date net income and changes in accumulated other comprehensive income. The tangible equity to assets ratio increased to 11.69% at September 30, 2012, from 11.04% at June 30, 2012 and 10.69% at December 31, 2011. There were 9,751,271 common shares outstanding at September 30, 2012, June 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively. The book value per common share increased to $9.04 at September 30, 2012, from $8.84 at June 30, 2012 and $8.63 at December 31, 2011.

"The Company has been internally focused on reducing certain loan concentrations and addressing asset quality issues. We have recently established a group dedicated solely on nonperforming asset management which will allow our bankers and credit personnel to focus on new businesses development. We have streamlined our credit process, hired new bankers and credit personnel and are revamping our deposit products to be more competitive and drive non-interest revenue. Our employees, management and the Board are united and focused on making First South Bank a high performing financial institution," said Mr. Elder.

Key Performance Ratios

Return on average assets (ROA), return on average equity (ROE), and the efficiency ratio all improved during the 2012 third quarter. ROA is 0.53% for the 2012 third quarter, compared to 0.26% for the linked 2012 second quarter and 0.21% for the 2011 third quarter. ROE is 4.42% for the 2012 third quarter, compared to 2.26% for the linked 2012 second quarter and 1.97% for the comparative 2011 third quarter. The Company continues placing efforts on improving its operating efficiency by managing net interest income, growing non-interest income, and controlling operating expenses. The efficiency ratio improved to 64.78% for the 2012 third quarter, from 84.84% for the linked 2012 second quarter and 67.77% for the comparative 2011 third quarter.

First South Bancorp, Inc. may be accessed on its website at www.firstsouthnc.com. The Company's common stock symbol as traded on the NASDAQ Global Select Market is "FSBK".

First South Bank has been serving the citizens of eastern North Carolina since 1902 and offers a variety of financial products and services, including a leasing company. Securities brokerage services are made available through an affiliation with an independent broker/dealer. The Bank operates through its main office headquartered in Washington, North Carolina, and has 26 full service branch offices located throughout central and eastern North Carolina.

Statements contained in this release, which are not historical facts, are forward-looking statements as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties which could cause actual results to differ materially from those currently anticipated due to a number of factors which include the effects of future economic conditions, governmental fiscal and monetary policies, legislative and regulatory changes, the risks of changes in interest rates, the effects of competition, and including without limitation to other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially as discussed in documents filed by the Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission from time to time.